Etheridge – Page 2 – IMM Senior Thesis

~Revised Concept # 2~

Future Navigation

Hidden menus, like the hamburger menu, have shown to be counterproductive when it comes to the user experience. The reason for this is due to that the hamburger menu was a quick solution to better handle a navigation bar for the mobile version of websites. However, this has become such an industry standard that no one is changing this practice. Today, this standard practice is becoming out of date and needs to be replaced, but with what? What would it look like and how it will function? Can it be used only on mobile or can it be a holistic element?

In order to answer these questions, I would do a deep dive to see how people are handling navigation, test to see what type of menu people like (header nav, hidden menu, footer nav, side nav, etc), use the collected data to come up with new designs and test those designs to see what the new navigation concept will be.

This will be done by in-person interviews, finding sources and insight from people working on this problem, on and offline user testing, and applying cognitive psychology principles.

The final deliverable will be a small exposition and documenting my process, data, and the solutions that came out of this case study.

~Three initial concepts~

Concept one

I would like a psychological concept and show it through 3 different types of mediums: digital, print and digital fabrication. I’ve noticed that there are a lot of instances of a disconnect when trying to bring an idea from digital into a physical space. For example, take the gehlast principles and showcase how it is used in digital, print (traditional), and then bring it into interior design to increase the usability and appeal of the house. People need that “Oh wow, that is so convenient! I always wanted to be there! Look Sweetie :O!”

Concept two

The hidden menu has been a plight in the software and web universe. The cause of this was the hamburger menu, the three lines stacked on one another. Hidden menus were a quick fix to the mobile web spaces, but became an industry standard because it looks clean and minimalistic. However, there are multiple studies that show a traditional inline nav bar work better than a hamburger menu. Thus, there is a better way to have a minimalistic navigation that’s not hidden, but what does that look like?

Concept three

Within the Big Pharma advertising sector, websites have to follow a strict laws. The one in particular is you need to handle the Important Safety Information (ISI) a certain way. The ISI must always be accessible and can be constantly seen on each page of the website. On each drug website, the ISI is displayed and handled the same, except a few other. Thus, there must be a way to still have fit within all the rules and be accessible and not-destructive to the user’s experience.

~Portfolio Map ~

After I gathered all my work I could find and remember, I placed it into three different skill sections: Digital, Print, and Physical work (meaning working with traditional tools rather than digital tools). I started to noticed that there was a plethora of print and digital work from all parts of my life: school, personal, and professional. I was genuine surprised of how small the amount of work I had in physical skill section. Which made me think: Is there a project where these skills can be combined? Is there a way where I can design something for each medium in a seamless fashion? What does/will that look like?

At least now I just have to find a problem that can be solved with these skills.